Rose Coneflower

Rose Coneflower (Isopogon formosus) is a native shrub from south-west Western Australia that grows 1.5 to 2m tall and wide, with fern-like leaves that are finely divided and round pink-purple flowerheads fringed with long slender petals. They open anywhere from midwinter through to midsummer, depending on where you garden. It is a relative of grevilleas and proteas, and it rewards gardeners who can offer good drainage and a drier climate.

Why you'll love it

• Catherine wheel flowers. Vibrant pink-purple globes with radiating petals look like nothing else in the garden, and the name formosus means good-looking.
• Months of colour. Flowering runs from midwinter into summer, with the exact timing set by your location.
• Ferny foliage all year. The finely divided leaves keep the shrub textured and interesting when it is not in flower.
• A West Australian native. It suits native and wildlife gardens, and bees visit the flowers.
• Cold tolerant enough for the south. It shrugs off a light frost or a brief dry spell, and is grown as far south and inland as Canberra.

Where it works best

Native and wildlife gardens. Plant 1.5m apart in a mixed bed with grevilleas, banksias and other natives that share its need for sharp drainage.

Sandy and rocky soils. It thrives where many shrubs struggle, in light sandy ground or among rocks, in full sun.

Dry southern gardens. As a feature shrub it brings winter colour to gardens in Perth, Adelaide and Canberra.

Growing Rose Coneflower in Australia

Position and climate. Give it full sun. A light frost or a short dry spell will not harm it, but hard or prolonged frost and long dry periods will. It dislikes humidity, so it suits Mediterranean, warm temperate and cool temperate gardens and is not a good choice for the humid subtropics and tropics.

Soil. Sandy or rocky soil that drains freely, with a neutral to acid pH, is ideal. On heavy clay, plant on a raised mound of free draining mix, because wet soil is the commonest cause of failure.

Water and feed. Keep it watered for the first two to three months while it establishes, then top up in long dry spells. Feed once when buds form, using a slow release native fertiliser. Isopogons dislike phosphorus, so pick one whose phosphorus share is under 3 per cent.

Pruning. A light trim after flowering encourages bushy growth and keeps the shape tidy. Do not cut hard into bare wood.

What to expect when it arrives

We sell Rose Coneflower as tube stock and in 140mm pots in packs of 10. Tube stock is a young plant in an 80mm deep tube that establishes quickly, and is the economical way to start a native bed. The 140mm pots are already bigger and need less time to reach a flowering size. This is a slightly tricky plant, and success depends mostly on drainage.

Plants are delivered Australia wide, with delivery from $29.95. Every plant is covered by our 30 day healthy plant guarantee.

Plant care guides and related reading

• More Australian native shrubs
• Grevilleas to plant alongside
• Plants for native bees
• Growing uncommon natives: drainage and fertiliser rules

Common questions

Is Rose Coneflower hard to grow?

It is a little tricky. Gardeners who do well with grevilleas usually manage it too. It wants sharp drainage, full sun and a climate that is neither too humid nor too cold for too long.

Will it grow in a humid climate like Brisbane or Darwin?

Not reliably. It dislikes humidity, and warm wet summers tend to cause root problems. Choose a sandy raised bed if you want to try.

What fertiliser is safe for it?

A slow release native fertiliser with a phosphorus ratio under 3 per cent, applied when buds form. Many general garden fertilisers contain far too much phosphorus.